19-year-old stabbed in legs after chase through town

Two men who chased a man through Ealing Broadway before stabbing him have been jailed for a total of 15 years and six months.

Horace Yemoh, 23 of Allenby Road, Southall, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, 13 March.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs at an earlier hearing on 22 December 2014.

Yemoh was sentenced at the same court on Friday, 12 June to a total of 10 years' imprisonment.

Abdi Hassan, 18 of Bordars Road, Hanwell, pleaded guilty to committing grievous bodily harm at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, 12 March. He was sentenced to five years and six months' imprisonment at Isleworth Court on Friday, 12 June.

The court heard that on 22 September 2014, Yemoh and Hassan chased a 19-year-old man through Ealing Broadway before pinning him into a corner and stabbing him. The victim suffered several stab wounds to his lower legs but managed to run away before calling paramedics. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released later the same day.

The victim was unable to provide police with much information as he didn't know who the suspects were and didn't know the area. Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Hudson visited the scene and recovered CCTV footage showing the incident. Unfortunately, it did not show the actual stabbing, but from his knowledge of local gang members, DC Hudson was able to identify the two men who had chased the victim.

Having this information, coupled with details of the occupants of a white Ford Fiesta that had been in the area at the time of the assault - and stopped by police - DC Hudson was able to narrow down potential suspects.

On 26 September 2014, Yemoh - who was already on bail for drugs offences - was arrested after he was found hiding under a bed at an address in Ealing.

Hassan was arrested on 22 October 2014, at an address in Hanwell. During a search of this address, officers found £1,800 in cash, which was seized.

Yemoh and Hassan were charged with grievous bodily harm. Yemoh was also charged with drugs offences; and Hassan served with Proceeds of Crime Act seizure for money laundering offences.

On Tuesday, 10 March, the first day of the trial, Hassan changed his plea to guilty. Yemoh maintained his innocence and the trial continued until Friday, 13 March when it took the jury less than an hour to return a unanimous guilty verdict.

At an earlier hearing at Ealing Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 3 June, £1,800 in cash was forfeited after Hassan failed to account for how he had obtained the money.

Detective Constable Chris Hudson, said: "This sentence sends a very clear message to those who carry knives and are intent in using them. We will not tolerate gang violence and will do everything to secure a prosecution and to ensure that justice is done."

22nd June 2015